Group of students sits around a round table holding books and talking while on a patio

Humanities

Humanities at Davidson

Humes at Davidson is community. Humes is critical.

The Humanities Program (Humes) starts with the assumption that no single disciplinary approach can answer the big questions, and so faculty come from across the college. You will hear lectures and be in discussions led by faculty with expertise in Africana Studies, Philosophy, Asian American Studies, History, Latin American Studies, German Studies, French and Francophone Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Film and Media Studies, Global Literary Theory, Religious Studies, Theatre, and Dance and Performance Studies.

Humes is about learning to engage with the body of human experience, with "the best which has been thought and said in the world" where "the best" is contingent and up for debate—by you. Humes has a history as well as a present. Humes is about revolution. Humes is about the future—our theme for 2022-2024. At Davidson, we believe that a liberal arts education requires a balance of courses from across the disciplines, including the humanities, so that our graduates can have the greatest impact in their post-Davidson worlds. Please contact Program Chair Patricio Boyer at paboyer@davidson.edu with any questions. 

The Humanities Program receives substantial programming support from the Warren and Catherine Cox Endowment in the Humanities, established by Warren M. Cox, Jr., Davidson Class of 1924, and his wife Catherine Cox Gaither, to provide support for the Humanities Program.

In addition, the Humanities Program receives support from the Epes Distinguished Lectureship in the Humanities, which provides substantial support for a visiting distinguished public intellectual or scholar to visit the course and give a public lecture related to the course each year.

Hansford M. Epes stands and smiles at the camera while wearing a suit

The Hansford M. Epes Distinguished Lecture Series celebrates humanities at Davidson and honors Hansford Epes '61.

Three students sit on armchairs at the Carolina Inn and have a discussion

In these short videos, the Fellows share their experiences with first-year students.

Professor Denham stands near projector screen, leaning on chair, at the front of auditorium while students, in seats, listen

Former humanities students discuss why they chose to participate in the program and how the humanities have impacted their academic journeys.